Fluid draining and dispensing system for household appliances and fluid dispensing tube for household appliances

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fluid draining and dispensing system for electric household appliances, more specific ally for capturing washing water and carrying the water that supplies the cloth washing machine washing tank. Thus, it is the purpose of the invention to allow for a more practical, simple and economic construction, resulting in appliances of a lower cost and, therefore, more accessible to all social classes. The system comprises at least one dispensing duct 5 cooperating with valve 6 interconnected to the water supply network and with fixed lid 1; at least one furrow 7 cooperating with fixed lid 1 and the at least one dispensing duct 5; and means for simultaneously draining the fixed lid and the console washing water and dispensing the water coming from the valve interconnected to the water supply network, both fluid flows being directed to the inside of the washing basket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fluid draining and dispensing system for household appliances, more particularly for capturing washing water and carrying the water that supply the washing tank of washing machines. Thus, the invention is meant for allowing a more practical, simple and economic construction, resulting in appliances of lower cost and, therefore, more accessible to all social classes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the art, the water supply system for the tanks and/or washing baskets of cloth washing machines is made in various manners, among which one may mention the use of input dispensing drawers by means of which the water enters the washing machine through valves, falls on said input dispenser so as to be dispensed between the basket and the washing tank, in the so-called in tube system. It should be stressed that equipments that do not use the in tube system dispense the water originating from the dispensing drawers and already mixed with the washing inputs directly inside the basket, but with no means for uniformly delivering the water that is thrown over the washing load. One example of that construction can be noted in document CN201155046.

Also document JP10263286 describes a water dispensing system associated with an input drawer, such system previewing a ramp optionally provided with holes for delivering the water coming out.

However, such concepts have an elevated cost, since they necessarily depend on the use of dispensing drawers and, consequently, on coupling structures for them—which results in manufacturing complexity (such as, for example, the need for performing welding operations) and a relatively sophisticated design for the input dilution, incurring production and marketing elevated costs.

In addition, it should be noted that such solutions do not contemplate any additional functionality for such dispensing systems, so that their use is restricted.

In parallel with this, it is known that is common the housewives and cleaners generally throwing water over the washing machines to effect their hygienization, and that this procedure brings on a high risk of damage to the appliance, since such water may infiltrate in the console and reach the electronic components responsible for their driving. In order to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, the current state of the art uses gaskets around the console plate, which ends up in turning the making of the appliance both more complex and more expensive.

Another solution for such a problem is described in document KR20030008474, and previews the use of a console shielding system through a plate fixed by interference, which is also complex and expensive.

It should be noted, therefore, that the current state of the art lacks solutions that will allow the proper capture of fluids which are normally used by users to effect the equipment outer cleaning and, at the same time, to avoid that they reach the electronic components responsible for their use. Also, it should be noted that there is the need for solutions that will allow the direct supply of water from the local network to the cloth washing machine washing tank without requiring the use of additional devices for promoting the perfect delivery of water onto the washing load.

In brief, it is possible to note how beneficial would be a single and joint solution for the two problems—which is not known so far.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to disclose a fluid draining system for household appliances capable of preventing eventual liquid products used in the washing and hygienization of the equipment housing from reaching its electromechanical and electronic components—especially those responsible for the proper operation of the command board.

It is also one of the objects of the present invention to provide a fluid dispensing system that will allow the direct interconnection between the local water supply network and the household appliance washing basket.

In that aspect, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a fluid dispensing system that does not have, as an intermediary component, an input dispensing drawer or similar device.

Another among the objects of the present invention is to disclose a fluid dispensing system that will allow, in a simple and direct manner—that is, without the use of additional devices—the proper dispersion of the water entering the washing machine tank, in order to soak more evenly and more efficiently all the cloth load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects above are attained by means of a fluid draining and dispensing system for electric household appliances, more particularly for washing machines comprising a fixed lid provided with a central gap for access to a washing basket and with a console on which command buttons are arranged, the water supply being effected by a valve interconnected with the water supply network.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said system comprises:

-   -   at least one dispensing duct cooperating with the fixed lid and         with the at least one dispensing duct; and     -   means for simultaneously draining the the fixed lid and the         console washing water and dispensing the water coming from the         valve interconnected to the water supply network, both fluid         flows being directed to the inside of the washing basket.

The at least one dispensing duct comprises an elongate piece comprising an inlet nozzle cooperating with the valve, and a dispensing end comprising at least an upper slanted surface and at least two outlet cavities.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the at least two outlet cavities are symmetrical, comprise convex distal edges and middle angled edges, the at least two outlet cavities dispense water in the form of a spread curtain jet.

Furthermore, said dispensing tube comprises, around the upper surface, peripheral walls circumscribing at least a water capturing chamber.

The system of the present invention still comprises, preferably, at least one furrow cooperating with the fixed lid and provided with at least one drain, the at least one drain cooperating with the at least one upper surface of the dispensing tube.

Optionally, the at least one dispensing duct may comprise a dispensing end provided with at least a vertical column joined to its upper surface and also comprise at least one water capturing chamber defined by peripheral walls, the water coming from the central drain being carried to the washing environment through at least one hole.

The objects of the invention are also attained by means of a fluid dispensing tube for electric household appliances that comprises an elongate piece comprising an inlet nozzle cooperating with the valve, and a dispensing end comprising at least a slanted upper surface and at least two outlet cavities, the at least two outlet cavities being symmetrical, comprising convex distal edges and angled middle edges, said at least two outlet cavities dispensing water in the form of a spread curtain jet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in detail based on the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a console associated with the fixed lid of a washing machine in which the fluid draining dispensing system for electric household appliances object of the present invention is used;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the fixed lid show in FIG. 1, showing the fluid draining and dispensing system for household appliances object of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the section shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a reproduction of FIG. 3, but without the plate containing the appliance command buttons, showing the draining furrow for the fluids eventually poured over the equipment fixed lid;

FIG. 5 shows the section represented in FIG. 4, but seen from the electric home appliance rear region;

FIG. 6 shows a lower perspective view of the household appliance fixed lid, in which the fluid dispensing device of the system object of the present invention is duly installed;

FIG. 7 shows a lower perspective view of the fluid dispensing device represented in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows, in a isolated manner and in upper perspective, the fluid dispensing device of the system object of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows the device of FIG. 8 in lower perspective;

FIG. 11 shows the device of FIG. 8 in a lower view;

FIG. 12 shows, in upper perspective, an alternative embodiment for the fluid dispensing device of the system object of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows the device of FIG. 12 in lower perspective;

FIG. 14 shows the device of FIG. 12 in an upper view;

FIG. 15 shows the device of FIG. 12 in a side view; and

FIG. 16 shows the device of FIG. 12 in a lower view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be hereinafter described in detail based on the appended drawings, to which numerical references will be assigned in order to facilitate its understanding.

As can be noted more clearly in the appended FIG. 1, the upper region of a washing machine is generally made up by a fixed lid 1 provided with a central gap 2 for the access to the washing basket, and with a console 3 on which the command buttons 4 responsible for driving the appliance are arranged. The fluid draining and dispensing system for household appliances object of the present invention has been developed to cooperate with the household appliance fixed lid 1 for performing two functions simultaneously:

-   -   to drain the eventual washing water thrown over console 3 in         order to avoid infiltration and the consequent contact with the         electromechanical and electronic components 41 connected to         command buttons 4, and     -   to interconnect, by means of a dispensing duct 5, a valve 6         interconnected to the local water supply network directly to the         appliance washing basket, said dispensing duct 5 further         comprising means for dispensing the water drained from fixed lid         1 console 3.

The system constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention previews a means for directing and draining the water that reaches the household appliance fixed lid 1 and console 3, such means being a furrow 7 integrated into fixed lid 1, more specifically arranged in the coupling perimeter of console 3, said furrow 7 having a central drain that, by cooperation with dispensing duct 5, carries the drained water to the inside of the washing machine basket. Therefore, the embodiment proposed does not require the use of additional devices such as gaskets or any other sealing elements, which ends up in reducing the costs involved.

The cooperation of dispensing duct 5 with the furrow 7 central drain 71 is effected by means of a tilt on upper surface 51 of its dispensing end 53, since it is located below the drain 71 nozzle, therefore carrying the water coming from furrow 7 to the inside of the washing basket by gravity and without the need for any additional device.

Dispensing tube 5 comprises per se an elongate piece with a substantially frusto-conical body, which is defined by a cylindrical inlet nozzle 52 for latching in the end of valve 6. Dispensing end 53 of dispensing tube 5 is defined by a vertical wall 54, which remains adjacent to rear face 21 of central gap 2, said vertical wall 54 conforming a lower region in which are located outlet cavities 55 that have an optimized geometry for evenly wetting the cloth load to be washed.

Such optimized geometry is achieved by means of two symmetrical cavities 55 defined by convex distal edges 551 and slightly angled middle edges 552, such angling causing the water to be scattered in the form of a spread curtain jet, reaching the entire area between the tower of the machine central stirrer and the washing basket wall, thus covering the entire basket width.

Thus, as the basket is rotated during the filling of the machine, the entire washing cloth load is gradually and evenly wetted, without requiring the use of any additional device or mechanism, which would incur, therefore, higher manufacturing costs.

It should be pointed out that the tilt of upper surface 51 of dispensing distal end 53, while directs the water drained by furrow 7, also acts as an element directing the water flow coming from valve 6 to cavities 55, causing a single device—in this case, dispensing tube 5—to suitably forward the draining water and the supply water.

It is to be also pointed out that upper surface 51 of dispensing tube 5 may be confined by peripheral walls 56 designed to configure a water capturing chamber 57, that, apart from enlarging the area for capturing the draining water coming from central drain 71, also creates a space capable of capturing a larger volume of water and, thus, assure that the inner electronic components are protected from an eventual fluid excess volume.

An alternative of dispensing tube 500 is shown in FIGS. 12 to 16, which previews differentiated forms both for forwarding the draining water that reaches fixed lid 1 and console 3 of the electric household appliance and for dispensing the water coming from the local network.

For that purpose, dispensing end 510 of said dispensing tube 500 comprises a substantially parallelepiped dispensing end 530 that receives the water flow coming from inlet nozzle 520, turning it into various shower-like jets by means of a plurality of vertical columns 531 joined to its upper surface. Thus, the unitary water flow coming from the local network is broken and, as a consequence, the water is poured in a more gently and distributed manner on the washing load.

Additionally, the dispensing tube contains a water capturing chamber 570 completely closed by peripheral walls 560, so that the water coming from the draining of fixed lid 1 and console 3 by means of central drain 71 is carried to the washing environment through a hole 580. Thus, one has a draining system capable of support an eventual overload as far as the fluid outflow coming from furrow 7 is concerned.

Among the advantages of the system here proposed is the operation simplicity, since, without the need for using various components and using only gravity and specific geometries, it is possible to carry and dispense the water in an extremely cheap and accessible manner.

Furthermore, the invention allows for making equipments at a reduced cost, of a simpler operation, but equally efficient, which allows making the price of the electric household appliance more accessible, mainly for lower class consumers, incurring, therefore, both social and technical benefits.

It is worth pointing out that, although differential constructive forms of the present invention have been shown, it should be understood that eventual constructive omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the protection required. It is also expressly previewed that all combinations of the elements that perform the same function substantially the same way to attain the same results are within the scope of the invention. Replacements of elements of an embodiment described by others are also completely intended and contemplated. 

1. A fluid draining and dispensing system for electric household appliances, more specifically for washing machines comprising a fixed lid (1) provided with a central gap (2) for access to a washing basket, and with a console (3) on which are arranged command buttons (4), the supply of water being done by a valve (6) interconnected to 5 the water supply network, CHARACTERIZED in that said system comprises: at least one dispensing duct (5) cooperating with said valve (6) interconnected to the water supply network and with the fixed lid (1); at least one furrow (7) cooperating with the fixed lid (1) and with the at least one 10 dispensing duct (5); and means for simultaneously draining the fixed lid (1) and the console (3) washing water and dispensing the water coming from the valve (6) interconnected to the water supply network, both fluid flows being directed to the inside of the washing basket.
 2. A system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the at least one 15 dispensing duct (5) comprises an elongate piece comprising an inlet nozzle (52) cooperating with the valve (6), and a dispensing end (53) comprising at least one slanted upper surface (51) and at least two outlet cavities (55).
 3. A system, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the at least two outlet cavities (55) are symmetrical, comprise convex distal edges (551) and angled middle 20 edges (552).
 4. A system, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the at least two outlet cavities (55) dispense the water in the form of a spread curtain jet.
 5. A system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the dispensing tube (5) comprises, around the upper surface (51), peripheral walls (56) circumscribing at 25 least one water capturing chamber (57).
 6. A system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises at least one furrow (7) cooperating with the fixed lid (1) and provided with at least one drain (71),
 7. A system, according to claim
 6. CHARACTERIZED in that the at least one drain (71) cooperates with the at east one upper surface (51) of the dispensing tube (5),
 8. A system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the at least one dispensing duct (500) comprises a dispensing end (530) provided with at least one vertical column (531) joined to its upper surface.
 9. A system, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the at least one dispensing duct (500) comprises at least a water capturing chamber (570) defined by 35 peripheral walls (560), the water coming from the central drain (71) being carried to the washing environment through at least one hole (580).
 10. A fluid dispensing tube for household appliances, more specifically for washing machines comprising a fixed lid (1) provided with a central gap (2) for access to a washing basket, and with a console (3) on which command buttons (4) are arranged, the water supply being done by a valve (6) interconnected to the water supply network, CHARACTERIZED in that the dispensing tube (5) comprises an elongate piece comprising an 5 inlet nozzle (52) cooperating with the valve (6), and a dispensing end (53) comprising at least one slanted upper surface (51) and at least two outlet cavities (55).
 11. A fluid dispensing tube, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the at least two outlet cavities (55) are symmetrical, comprise convex distal edges (551) and angled 10 middle edges (552).
 12. A dispensing tube, according to claim 10 and CHARACTERIZED in that the at least two outlet cavities (55) dispense water in the form of a spread curtain jet.
 13. A dispensing tube, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the dispensing tube (5) comprises, around the upper surface (51), peripheral walls (56) that 15 circumscribe at least one water capturing chamber (57).
 14. A dispensing tube, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the dispensing tube (500) comprises a dispensing end (530) provided with at least one vertical column (531) joined to its upper surface.
 15. A dispensing tube, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the 20 dispensing tube (500) comprises at least one water capturing chamber (570) defined by peripheral watts (560) and at least one hole (580). 